Boliver Hights Va
Nov the 2 62
Dear Wife
It is with pleasure that I seit myself to write a fiew lines to tell you that I am well and hope these fiew lines will find you all well. I have just came in from picket. We had a good time a shooting at the rebs. I was one of the outside pickets. We was stackent four in a place and when night came we had orders that if they made their apperance to blaese away at them but we dident see eney till morning when ten or twelve caverly rode along with their spiglases and some of the boys shot at them but they was to far off but it drove them back in the woods. We took a niggro person. He came along our lines and we took him. He sead he used to cook and wash for them when they had anything to cook. He wanted us to take him. He sead he was sick of their fare. We have got a hard place this time. We have got to go to the river to get all of our water to use and it is a mile to the river. The water is coald but the soilders wash and water their horses in it and dead horses lay in it but it is good enough for the soilders. There is heavy canonadeing to day. Some of the old soldiers say it is to Winchester. The weather is quite warm days and brety (?)cool nights. I had a letter from Uncle John this weak. They are useley well. I heard from Jacob this weak. He was well. They have had marching orders. We have ben shifted. We are under Banks now. I am sorey for that. You staded that you had to pick up wood. I think you had better try and hire someone to chop some. Have them go on Johns place and take the best they can find. If our folks wants some bords to build a pen for the calves they can go to Lathorps and take them boards. We have ben mustered for pay. I think we will get it the midel of the month. You wanted me to have my likeness taken as soon as I have a chance. I look at you and Maty every day. I sent some songs to you. I want you to write weather you got them or not and write all the news. I am verry mouch tickeld when I get a letter from home. If you dont belive it just read the letter that the edeter of the Binghamton Democrat wrote and printed in his paper. He was down here and see the boys recieve letters. We all run to the post ofice when the mail comes. I think you get a good meney more than I do. William wanted me to tel his folks that he was well. The rest of the boys are all well. Batcher has been sick but is better now.
I shall have to stop writing for this time. Give my respects to your folks and my folks and all the rest of the folks on the hill. No more this time so good buy Charlotte.
From Charles Engle
to Charlotte Engle